[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for instructional media design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the instructional media design degrees they offer, see the list below.
George Mason University tops our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $78,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes James Madison University one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $21,218. Instructional Media Design graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value instructional media design schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $56,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
More Instructional Media Design Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
